The Importance Of User Interface Design In Mobile Applications

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” –Steve Jobs

If you are a startup then you must know the importance of user interface design in your mobile or web application. Building websites and mobile applications, nowadays, are essential for businesses because people only tend to trust companies with a reasonable online presence.

Besides, if customers can’t reach you, they can’t rely on you and in this digital age, customers want immediate connection. So even if you have a website, understanding the user is crucial and important in interactive designing. Make sure your website is attractive and interesting enough to grab the attention of customers.

Keep in mind that UX - user experience for mobile applications is as important as it is for a website. You need a mobile app that can turn people who visit your business into loyal customers, which will help you make more money. Therefore, you need to focus on the importance of app design and take into account the important features of user interface design. 

While it's true that there are plenty of pre-made mobile app UI design templates available, the challenge lies in adapting those designs effectively to connect with your customers in a meaningful way. A word of advice? Nothing can beat a design developed from the ground up.

The importance of user interface design and user experience (UX) go hand in hand, meaning, they are not exclusive of one another. Even though both UI/UX are not exclusive, doesn’t mean they are the same thing. They do have their differences. But what is the purpose of the mobile user experience? UX is more focused on how things work whereas the purpose of user interface design is to make the entire design look simpler, intuitive, and engaging through visual elements.

So whether it is a website or a mobile application, the interface should have a user-centric design.

According to studies, people form 75% of their judgment on a website’s credibility purely on its aesthetics. But also know that a good UI with poor UX will not give you what you desire. Similarly, a good user experience with a bad interface can not result in an optimal application. Get both on-point and you will have exactly what you want since both UI/UX branding plays an important role. 

Did you know how UI/UX design plays an important role in branding? Explore our insightful blogs on UI/UX

List of Various Types of User Interfaces for Mobile Apps Splash Screen

The very first screen appears when you launch an application for not more than 3 seconds. Splash screens form the very first impression and attract the user’s interest. Try using exciting illustrations, punchlines, and visual elements to achieve optimal user experience. 

Onboarding Screen

They are minimal tutorial screens that are only shown to the first-time users which tell them about their next steps, and about the basic features and functionality of the entire application to make the journey less complicated.

Home Screen

It’s the main screen of the entire mobile application. All the other screens are linked to the home page as it highlights the functional menu and the features. UI designers must understand the importance of designing the user interface of the home screen to make it more understandable and user-friendly.

Login and Profile Screens

There are lesser mobile applications that don’t need a login page, but many do. Therefore, make sure to steer clear of all the unnecessary distractions on the log-in screen. When designing a user interface, think about the user's experience and make things easier for them by keeping the information fields to a minimum. Also, make sure to include error messages that will let the user know if they have entered the right or wrong information.

There are different types of UI screens used in different mobile applications, according to requirements such as eCommerce has its UI screens: checkout and product catalog similarly social platforms have varying screens but the basics (see above) stay the same. 

What is Meant by Usability and Why is it Important for User Interface Design?

Usability is one of the most important components of user interface design and UX. According to the Interaction Design Foundation: “Usability” refers to the ease of access and/or use of a product or website. A usable interface has three main outcomes:

 

• The website's interface should be designed in a way that makes it simple for users to quickly understand and feel comfortable using it the very first time they visit. If a travel agent's website is well-designed, it should be easy for users to navigate and book a ticket without any trouble.
• It should be easy for users to achieve their objectives by using the website. If a user has the goal of booking a flight, a good design will guide him/her through the easiest process to purchase that ticket.
• It should be easy to recall the user interface and how to use it on subsequent visits. So, a good design on the travel agent’s site means the user should learn from the first time and book a second ticket just as easily.

Usability in user interface design is important because it allows the user to complete tasks easily and efficiently on the website without ambiguities and frustration. It is measurable since it lets you determine the success rate of the application such as if people are downloading and using your application, meaning the usability is good. 

Below you will find some pointers on the importance of user interface design, so let’s jump in. 

Importance Of User Interface Design

A Good UI Saves Time and Cost

If you understand and regard the best UI/UX practices from the very start of your project, you may not need to revamp your application again and again which saves time and costs together. Also if you spend a considerable amount of time on UI design, the challenges during and after the launch will be lesser since customers won’t have any issues with the product. 

Because an immaculate product doesn't need constant updates and maintenance. 

A Good UI Attracts Users 

At the end of the day, that’s all we need, ‘Customers’. According to Charles Eames, “The role of the designer is that of a good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.” Good UI grabs the user's attention and makes sure that they stay. But only an intuitive UI will be able to make users stick around. Therefore, when users land on your application, they should be hooked so that they come back as many times as they want. 

A Good UI Builds Your Brand

Well, this one is a given. Regardless of the product or service you are offering, if you fail to consider customers, then chances are your brand won’t succeed. Therefore, the purpose of UI is to make the content (images, text, and other design elements) look more engaging and navigation; less complicated. User interface design helps the user to understand, thus increasing their satisfaction.

A satisfied client is more likely to return and recommend the brand to others. The positive reviews will as a result motivate you to further enhance the usability of your product to build good value and surpass the competition.

Talking about applications in the eCommerce industry, Amazon has one of the cleanest user interfaces. The products are easily navigable and the application is extremely user-friendly.

If you are also looking to design and develop an application for your business, Contact us right away!